In this Decode episode, Danielle and I are joined by Andrew Piper, an award-winning cinematographer and one of our videographers here at Hoole.

With a unique background in the entertainment industry, Andrew has worked on films for clients ranging from corporate and education to music and the arts, giving him an expert eye for capturing and creatively presenting compelling stories.

We unpack why video has become the most powerful marketing tool for real estate professionals, the three types of videos every agent needs, and how to use video at each stage of the marketing funnel to attract clients, build trust, and generate more listings.

In this Decode episode, Danielle and I explore one of the biggest shifts in online behaviour, the rise of “zero-click” search. With AI tools like ChatGPT, Gemini and Perplexity becoming part of everyday life, property owners are no longer just typing keywords into Google. They’re having conversations with their AI and getting instant answers without ever clicking through to a search results page or website.

We break down what SEO, AEO and GEO mean, why “position zero” is now more valuable than “position one,” and the practical steps you can take to stay visible and credible in this new search landscape. From reviews and profiles to hyper-local blogs, market reports, and third-party referrals, this episode helps you get to grips with marketing your real estate business in the era of AI and how to make sure you’re not invisible.

In this Decode episode, Danielle and I are joined by Melissa Hickson, award-winning owner of Prime Residential Property Management in Melbourne. 

Melissa shares a shocking story about her Google Reviews. One that saw her 4.9-star rating drop in a number of days when over 100 one-star reviews were posted by a spammer. It's the digital version of a home invasion. You'll hear how this ambush shook her to the core, required a significant amount of time and effort to rectify, and impacted her business. 

Melissa explains why you should never take your Google reviews for granted, and how to proactively build a client review strategy that protects your reputation.

In this Decode episode, I’m joined by Julie Crockett, a buyers' agent, property investor, and founder of Australian Property Investment Solutions. 

We explore her fascinating journey from school teacher to pioneering buyers' agent in Sydney, her unique approach to niche marketing, and the practical strategies she’s used to build a successful property business. 

Listen in for practical tips on how to start, grow, and sustain a successful buyers' agency. This episode is packed with valuable insights and real-world advice you won’t want to miss.

In this episode of the Decode podcast, I'm joined by Michael Nitschke, a real estate principal who took DIY digital marketing and personal branding to exceptional heights.

Starting out with minimal resources, Michael leveraged social media and authentic storytelling to successfully build his Adelaide-based agency, Nitschke Real Estate.

Michael openly shares how he overcame his own fears of self-promotion and the myths surrounding quick-fix lead generation. Together, we explore why genuine relationships and consistent content marketing are essential in today's real estate landscape, particularly in the face of rapidly evolving technology and the influence of AI.

Whether you're a seasoned principal or a new agent looking to carve your path, this episode is filled with practical real estate marketing advice, inspiring insights, and authentic strategies to help you confidently elevate your personal brand and business.

In this episode of the Decode Podcast, I’m joined by a real estate principal whose story goes well beyond business tips or industry clichés.

At just 30, Michael Nitschke found himself suddenly leading his family’s real estate agency after losing both parents within a short period. In his book, Leading Out of Loss, Michael shares how he faced immense grief, mounting debt, and the daunting challenge of keeping the business afloat.

Through raw honesty, he turned adversity into a thriving agency in Mount Barker, South Australia. Michael’s story isn’t just for his children; it’s a lifeline for other real estate families and principals navigating the complexities of succession. In this episode, he shares powerful lessons on leadership, resilience, and what it truly means to carry a family legacy forward.

In this episode of the Decode Podcast, we’re tackling SEO in the age of AI: what’s changing, what still matters, and how real estate agents can remain searchable. Whether you’re new to SEO or ready to take things up a notch, this episode is packed with practical insights. 

I’m Melanie Hoole, and joining me on this show is Navin Shanmugarajan, Director and Founder of Blurn. Navin and I go way back – to our days working as colleagues at Domain.com.au (the ‘green team’ as I like to call them). With over 20 years of experience in digital marketing, Navin is the person I trust to help us unravel SEO and understand the impact of AI on prospects' searches for a real estate agent or real estate business.

In this episode of the Decode Podcast, we're focusing on the unique world of property management.

I’m joined by two powerhouse guests: Hayley Mitchell, a property management trainer with extensive experience growing property management departments, and Hermione Gardiner, a business coach who helps property managers start and scale their rental portfolios.

Marketing to landlords isn't as simple as dropping flyers in mailboxes or holding open homes, especially when most investors live far away from the properties they own. So, how do you find new landlord clients? Let’s decode what works and what doesn’t when it comes to marketing property management services.

In this episode of the Decode Podcast, we’re diving into real estate websites — what to look for, what to avoid, and how to get a high-performing site without spending a fortune.

Whether you're an agent starting out or a principal looking to improve your office’s digital presence, we’ll help you understand your options and avoid the common traps.

Today, I’m joined by Bart, our web developer at Hoole. Together, we walk you through what makes a great real estate website, why SEO is so important, and how our purpose-built Starter Website ticks all the boxes — without breaking the bank.

In this episode of the Decode Podcast, we discuss all things branding, whether building a brand from scratch or refreshing what you already have. We discuss the best approach and how to maintain the right mindset.

Branding isn’t just about choosing colours you like or copying the latest design trend. It’s about creating a professional identity that resonates with your ideal clients and works across every marketing channel.

You'll hear from Danielle, our brand marketer, and Frank, our brand designer at Hoole. We’ll walk you through the different levels of branding, the emotional journey behind a rebrand, and how to get the best results.

In this episode of the Decode Podcast, we're diving into the world of AI-powered content creation. It’s everywhere right now – from written content and SEO to AI-generated images and project management tools. But is AI revolutionising content marketing, or is it just another tool in our digital toolbox?

You’ll hear insights from Danielle, Frank and me. We all work at Hoole and have been using AI for content and visuals for the past couple of years; in fact, it's baked into our creative processes. We will share the pros and cons of AI as it stands today and what this means for your real estate marketing.

In this episode my team and I explore whether real estate agencies still need a physical office or high-street shopfront in an era where digital marketing is more powerful than ever.

We unpack the ongoing debate around the necessity of maintaining a physical office space in real estate. With digital marketing offering broader reach and measurable returns, the conversation delves into whether high-street visibility still provides value or if agencies should shift their investments toward digital strategies. The discussion includes cost comparisons, real-world case studies, and alternative branding approaches for staying relevant in a competitive market.

In this episode, we’re breaking down why follower count is a misleading metric—and how you can focus on what really drives results. We’ll discuss the common misconceptions around follower obsession, explore why platforms like Facebook shifted to a pay-to-play model, and tackle the difference between vanity metrics and real business goals. You’ll hear insights from Danielle on targeting the right audience and running results-driven campaigns, as well as from Frank on building influence and trust, not just collecting likes.

In this episode, we’re diving into the power of mindset with three top real estate business coaches — Caroline Bolderston, Jet Xavier, and Jess Densley. As we kick off a new year, we’ll explore how real estate agents and business owners can reset, refocus, and build momentum, no matter what the market is doing. From overcoming post-holiday slumps to staying motivated in changing market conditions, this conversation is packed with insights to help you win in real estate this year.

In this episode of Hoole Decode, Melanie Hoole is joined by Danielle and Frank to discuss the rapid changes in social and digital media platforms, particularly in relation to real estate marketing. The conversation focuses on why platforms evolve, how governments regulate social media, and what real estate professionals should do to maintain their online presence.